VZCZCXYZ0000
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHTC #1411/01 1741259
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 231259Z JUN 06
FM AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6121
INFO RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC PRIORITY
RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC PRIORITY

UNCLAS THE HAGUE 001411 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR T, ISN, ISN/CB, VCI/CCB, L/ACV, IO/S 
SECDEF FOR OSD/ISP 
JOINT STAFF FOR DD PMA-A FOR WTC 
COMMERCE FOR BIS (GOLDMAN) 
NSC FOR DICASAGRANDE 
WINPAC FOR WALTER 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PARM PREL CWC
SUBJECT: CHEMICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION (CWC): UNDER SECRETARY 
JOSEPH'S MEETING WITH OPCW DIRECTOR GENERAL PFIRTER 
 
This is CWC-54-06. 
 
------- 
SUMMARY 
------- 
 
¶1.  (U) In his June 21 meeting with Rogelio Pfirter, Director 
General of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical 
Weapons (OPCW), Under Secretary Joseph reaffirmed that the 
U.S. is working to complete destruction of its CW stocks as 
soon as possible.  He also emphasized to Pfirter the 
importance of hiring more Amcits, and the two agreed to work 
to find more Amcit applicants for OPCW jobs.  The DG asked 
for U.S. support in connection with an October conference to 
promote universal adherence to the CWC, and Joseph replied 
positively.  Joseph expressed U.S. support for the DG, the 
OPCW, and the CW Convention, which was greatly appreciated by 
the DG.  End Summary. 
 
------------------------------------ 
U.S. SUPPORT AND DESTRUCTION PROGRAM 
------------------------------------ 
 
¶2.  (U) Joseph began the meeting with DG Pfirter by 
expressing appreciation for the DG's work, and U.S. support 
for the DG, the OPCW Technical Secretariat, and the CW 
Convention.  He added that the President had made clear that 
nonproliferation is a U.S. priority, and the important role 
the OPCW plays in that effort.  Pfirter expressed thanks and 
emphasized that U.S. support for the OPCW and the CWC is 
critical. 
 
¶3.  (U) On the issue of the U.S. request for an extension of 
its deadline for destroying 100% of its CW stocks, Joseph 
reiterated that the U.S. is committed to destruction, which 
is apparent in the extensive U.S. funding for CW destruction. 
 The U.S. will complete destruction as soon as possible, 
consistent with legal, environmental and safety requirements. 
 
 
¶4.  (U) The DG informed Joseph that he had taken note of, and 
indeed, cited the Under Secretary's earlier comments on 
destruction.  Pfirter added the personal view that the 
negotiators of the CWC may have been too optimistic about 
destruction timelines.  However, it was clear that the U.S. 
destruction plan, which extends beyond 2012, had created 
"complications" with other States Parties.  Joseph noted that 
it is somewhat ironic that the U.S. is being punished for 
being so transparent with the TS and States Parties. 
 
¶5.  (U) Joseph then asked the DG what he had heard from the 
Russians about their destruction program.  Pfirter replied 
that they had simply reiterated their commitment to 
completing destruction by 2012, and outlined their 
restructured destruction program.  The DG commented that it 
is necessary to ensure that States Parties do not act 
prematurely regarding U.S. destruction.  Pfirter stated that 
in his view, this is a practical issue that should be 
resolved at the right time.  Joseph added that the U.S. has 
an excellent record on destruction, providing destruction 
assistance to other possessors, including Libya, Russia and 
Albania.  The G-8 Global Partnership also makes a major 
contribution.  The DG agreed completely. 
 
------------------------ 
HIRING AMERICAN CITIZENS 
------------------------ 
 
¶6.  (U) Joseph impressed on the DG that it is important to 
have more American citizens in the TS.  He noted that there 
are reports that must be submitted to Congress, which is 
keenly interested in this issue.  The DG replied that he is 
fully aware that this is an important issue for the U.S.  He 
noted that there had been a slight increase in the percentage 
of Americans.  Pfirter went on to note that in one recent 
case, he had selected a very qualified French candidate for 
what he emphasized to Joseph was not a key position.  The DG 
candidly stated that he faced a difficult situation given 
that France, a P-5 state, had no senior officials at the 
 
OPCW. He added that the French candidate was well-qualified. 
 
¶7.  (U) Pfirter went on to comment that he had offered the 
position of head of the OPCW laboratory to an Amcit, and was 
even willing to go to the limits of the salary he could 
offer.  However, the Amcit turned down the job.  The DG 
stated that he wanted an American to fill the position of 
head of the Information Services Branch.  However, he said he 
hoped Joseph would agree that he could not just hire Amcits 
because they are Amcits.  Innumerable countries come in to 
plead their case to the DG that they are under-represented in 
the TS.  Pfirter (who is from Argentina) said that his own 
government had highlighted the fact that there are fewer 
Argentines on the TS payroll now than before Pfirter became 
DG. 
 
¶8.  (U) The DG stressed that in order to hire more Amcits, he 
needs more Amcit applicants.  Joseph concurred and said that 
Washington and the TS need to work together to find many more 
good Amcit candidates.  However, Joseph emphasized to the DG 
that it is important that the percentage of Americans on the 
TS continue to go up. 
 
SIPDIS 
 
------------ 
UNIVERSALITY 
------------ 
 
¶9.  (U) Joseph asked about OPCW efforts regarding 
universality.  Pfirter outlined the efforts with non-States 
Parties in the various regions.  He noted that North Korea is 
"problematic."  T senior advisor Patricia McNerney asked 
whether use of UNSCR 1540's mandatory requirements might help 
with some states.  Pfirter said that he was not sure whether 
1540 would be of use with regard to North Korea.  Turning to 
the Middle East, the DG said that his message has been that 
efforts on CW cannot be held hostage to issues concerning 
nuclear weapons. 
 
¶10.  (U) The DG then addressed the OPCW's Rome conference in 
October to promote universality in the Mediterranean region 
(with a focus on Middle Eastern states).  Pfirter asked for 
U.S. support, as well as that of the P-5 to generate the 
highest possible attendance by non-SPs.  He noted that Syria 
attended the last regional conference.  Pfirter added that he 
had been informed that the EU had agreed to a relationship 
agreement that did not include language on nonproliferation. 
The DG commented that Egypt has never sent anyone to previous 
universality conferences.  They "make good statements" but do 
not take any action.  The DG said he had recently visited 
Israel, had positive discussions, and will continue his 
dialogue with the Israelis.  On Lebanon, Pfirter asked for 
U.S. assistance in pushing for high-level attendance in Rome. 
 He said the current Lebanese relationship with Syria is 
"still not clear" to the DG. 
 
-------------- 
GENERAL TOPICS 
-------------- 
 
¶11. (U) Amb. Javits hosted a lunch at which Joseph met with 
senior TS officials.  Joseph asked for their views on the 
major challenges facing the OPCW.  Pfirter recited the usual 
topics, but also noted that scientific developments were a 
major challenge.  He went on to note that developments in the 
chemical industry are another challenge.  Joseph asked about 
fourth generation agents, and the DG said that he had asked 
the OPCW Scientific Advisory Board to look into this issue. 
While there is no need to rush to action on this matter, it 
is critical to ask now for solid scientific advice.  The DG 
also said that there is discussion of whether the Schedule of 
Chemicals is up to date or whether there should be 
consideration of updating the schedules.  The DG also added 
that it is important to strengthen the efforts to inspect 
other chemical production facilities, but the discussions 
with less developed countries had been difficult. 
 
¶12.  (U) Joseph returned to the topic of universality and 
asked how the OPCW can increase pressure on getting 
non-States Parties to join.  Pfirter stressed that individual 
 
approaches are obviously necessary, and the key is to 
establish and continue a dialogue.  He noted that it is 
important that we are reaching a point where having CW is 
viewed as politically unacceptable by the international 
community.  That is critical, as non-SPs see that there is a 
price to be paid for being outside the CWC.  Joseph stated 
that with regard to Libya, it had gotten to the point where 
Libya recognized that possessing WMD was indeed 
counter-productive. 
 
¶13.  (U) Amb. Javits added that assistance and protection 
under Article 10 is a factor that can entice non-SPs to 
consider joining.  The DG concurred, noting that many SPs, 
especially smaller nations, are focused on the training and 
network of solidarity that is available from the OPCW. 
Raising another matter, Alexander Khodakov, Director of the 
Secretariat of the Policy-Making Organs, stated that the CWC 
 
SIPDIS 
is geared to States Parties, not non-state actors.  This is 
an area that may need more attention in the future.  The DG 
added that this is particularly significant in the area of 
OPCW efforts to make a contribution to anti-terrorism 
efforts. 
 
¶14.  (U) U/S Joseph has cleared this message. 
 
¶15.  (U) Javits sends. 
BLAKEMAN